Arakpogun, Emmanuel Ogiemwonyi and Whalley, Jason and Wanjiru, Roseline and Elsahn, Ziad and Kummitha, Rama Krishna Reddy (2023) Bridging the digital divide in Africa via universal service funds: an institutional theory perspective. Information Technology and People, 36 (8). pp. 126-154. DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/itp-01-2023-0042
Arakpogun, Emmanuel Ogiemwonyi and Whalley, Jason and Wanjiru, Roseline and Elsahn, Ziad and Kummitha, Rama Krishna Reddy (2023) Bridging the digital divide in Africa via universal service funds: an institutional theory perspective. Information Technology and People, 36 (8). pp. 126-154. DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/itp-01-2023-0042
Arakpogun, Emmanuel Ogiemwonyi and Whalley, Jason and Wanjiru, Roseline and Elsahn, Ziad and Kummitha, Rama Krishna Reddy (2023) Bridging the digital divide in Africa via universal service funds: an institutional theory perspective. Information Technology and People, 36 (8). pp. 126-154. DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/itp-01-2023-0042
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence-based policy recommendations for improving the implementation of universal service funds (USF) with a view to closing the digital divide in Africa. Design/methodology/approach: The paper adopts a qualitative approach that draws examples from various African countries supported by 25 interviews from key stakeholders with hands-on experience and roles that shape telecommunications policy in Africa and other developing countries. Findings: The study's findings point out that institutional voids which characterize several African countries inhibit the effectiveness of USF in African countries. The authors identify several institutional and organisational factors and explain how they negatively affect the performance of USF. The authors find that in order to overcome these obstacles, there is a need for a clear redefinition of Universal Access and Service (UAS) policies, restructuring the governance of USF, encouraging cross-sectoral collaborations, and bottom-up initiatives to bridge the digital divide in African countries. Originality/value: The paper contributes to the underexplored USF literature by shedding light on the role of institutional factors in determining the success of USF. The paper thus complements and provides a different perspective on promoting digital inclusion in Africa from the viewpoint of institutional voids, bringing new insights into the existing literature on how to deal with an intractable area of UAS policy and the wider digital divide debate in developing countries.
Item Type: | Article |
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Uncontrolled Keywords: | Africa, Digital divide, Institutional voids, Mobile telecommunications, Universal service funds |
Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences Faculty of Social Sciences > Essex Business School |
SWORD Depositor: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Date Deposited: | 23 Feb 2024 11:02 |
Last Modified: | 16 May 2024 21:52 |
URI: | http://repository.essex.ac.uk/id/eprint/36765 |
Available files
Filename: 10-1108_ITP-01-2023-0042.pdf
Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0